24-year-old Ian Grillot Honored as “A True American Hero” by Houston’s Indian American Community

Houston, Mar 31, 2017: The 24-year-old, young American Ian Grillot, was injured, when he took a bullet, trying to grab the 51-year-old navy veteran Adam Purinton – who shot at two Indians last month at a bar-cum-grill in Olathe, Kansas, has been honoured as "A True American Hero" by Houston's Indian American community which raised $100,000 to help him buy a house in his hometown Kansas.

India's ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna handed over the cheque to Grillot, who was honoured at the 14th annual gala of India House Houston here.

A statement posted on India House Houston Facebook page said, "On behalf of the Indian-American community in Houston, India House recognised this selfless act beyond the call of duty and has extended the community's gratitude to Ian Grillot by helping him to buy a house".

India House, a community center built by the Indian-American community in the Greater Houston area, has succeeded in raising the $100,000 as part of an initiative supported by India's consul-general in Houston-Anupam Ray, to help Grillot buy a house in his hometown, mentioned PTI.

Grillot had said, "I don't know if I could've lived with myself if I wouldn't have stopped or attempted to stop the shooter because that would've been completely devastating"

"I do now have a very powerful message and if I can help empower people and spread hope and love, then why not? I am honored to be at India House that serves so many families from so many communities in the Houston area."

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Sarna said it was a "great privilege" to meet Grillot and his parents. He had said "I was keen to come here today because I was told that Ian Grillot will be honoured…. He is a young man who has shown exceptional courage, strength of very fundamental human values. No amount of honour that India or the Indian Americans bestow on him will be re-compensed enough for that moment of exceptional fortitude and character".

The vibrant Indian diaspora in America has always contributed towards the society and economy of the US, Ray had said. "They are the ambassadors of Indian culture. They are playing a vital role in strengthening the ties between the two nations and cultures."

– Prepared by Upama Bhattacharya. Twitter @Upama_myself